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Spokane Shock

Adam Shackleford impressed with Empire talent

Spokane Empire coach Adam Shackleford is pointing his team in a new direction on the first day of practice on Friday, Feb. 5, 2016 at the Spokane Soccer Center. (Dan Pelle / The Spokesman-Review)

The Spokane Empire took to a soccer field Friday as it practiced for the first time under a new name, new league and an old coach.

Adam Shackleford, who coached the re-named Spokane Shock to a arenafootball2 championship in 2009, said Friday that he was impressed with the talent on the Empire as he works to whittle the team down to 25 players by Feb. 18 for the upcoming Indoor Football League season.

Shackleford was hired back to replace Andy Olson, who coached the Spokane Shock the past four seasons.

“We are an expansion team but I think we have a unique situation,” Shackleford said. “We already have a reputation for being a good program. The Shock won a lot of games. These guys have heard it. That helps in recruiting.”

The coaches had the offense running plays against the defense in helmets and shoulder pads. The players hooted and hollered each time a receiver caught a touchdown pass or whenever a defender popped the ball loose.

“It’s been a good first practice,” Shackleford said. “We have a lot more size and athletic ability on both sides of the offensive line than I’ve had in the last six years. I like our quarterback experience and the savviness of our rookies.”

Shackleford, who spent the past six seasons coaching the IFL’s Tri-Cities Fever, said he wouldn’t have returned if the Spokane franchise had stayed with the Arena Football League.

“If this was still an AFL team, I would have no interest in the job. I love the IFL,” he said. “I like they way they run their league. I think they have their employees in mind when they do things.”

The newly named team, which had “Empire” on all its practice gear, showed flashes behind veteran quarterback Charles Dowdell, who won the league MVP award last year playing for the Sioux City Bandits.

Dowdell, who stands 6-foot, 210-pounds, finished his college career at Saginaw State, passed for 2,128 years and 48 touchdowns last season.

“So far its’ been wonderful in Spokane. I can’t ask for more as far as an organization and a city,” Dowdell said. “They’ve given us everything we need to be successful.”

Dowdell will be competing with 6-5, 235-point rookie quarterback Aaron Aiken, a physical specimen who, like Dowdell, can tuck the ball and run.

“Aiken is a rookie and he’s picking it up quick,” Shackleford said. “Our offense never looks great on the first day. If it did that might scare me because that means we are not going to get any better. But defensively, we have eight guys that have played in the IFL before.”

Dowdell said he’s pleased with the players he’s seen already.

“I don’t think I’ve played around as much talent as we have here,” he said. “Guys came in ready to go. We didn’t have to get them ready. So that was a different thing that I noticed this year.”

Shackleford said the team just has a few practices to sort out the talent.

“The goal for today was figure out what we have. Did we make the right decisions? Are our linemen physical and athletic? Do the receivers run good routes?” he said. “I can tell you right now that we have the tools here to be successful.”

The Empire opens the season Feb. 20 at Tri-Cities Fever.

“The potential is there,” Shackleford said, “and hopefully we can turn that into production.”